Agree with Brian and zk. It’s largely genetic, and parenting can only nudge things slightly in one direction or another.
I’ve seen kids of absolutely horrible parents (parents who literally pimped their daughter out in a trailer in their yard) turn their backs on all of that and become some of the best people you could ever meet…great parents to their own kids, too. I’ve also seen kids of parents who were extremely nurturing and caring, doing everything they could for their kids, and the kids turned out pretty rotten.
Now, I DO think that scaredy’s introspective nature and willingness to admit fault is a big deal when it comes to parenting. It’s important to be able to apologize properly when you’re wrong, and to give the kids credit when they’re right. And it’s important to be able to analyze long-held beliefs and change them when the reality on the ground tells you that you were wrong (even better if you can have a discussion with your kids about the entire experience and thought process). And I also think that homeschooling gives kids an incredibly safe, nurturing environment in which they can really thrive, develop their own likes and interests, and become self-confident in their own perceptions and beliefs.
So much of it is genetic, though, and I think that scaredy and his wife probably have some pretty decent genes, even if he’s a bit scrawny and weak by nature. 😉
Yeah, you’re an awesome parent, scaredy. Your love and passion for your kids comes through loud and clear. It’s a pleasure to read your posts about your family. 🙂
